The Ravens fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, according to reports from multiple outlets. According to the Baltimore Sun, quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell will be promoted to replace him.

Cameron worked in that capacity for the Ravens for four full seasons and 13 games this season. Although there has been consistent outside criticism for Cameron's sometimes too conservative, always uneven play-calling, the timing of the move is surprising with the playoffs around the corner.

The Ravens have lost two consecutive games for the first time since 2010 to fall to 9-4, but still have a two-game lead in the AFC North. The offense Cameron leaves behind is ranked ninth in scoring (25.5 points per game), but is just No. 16 in passing, No. 17 in rushing and No. 18 in total yardage.

Cameron went 1-15 as head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2007 before being brought to Baltimore with head coach John Harbaugh the following season. Although the quarterback and running back the Ravens drafted that year—Joe Flacco and Ray Rice—have had good success, there's been a sense the offense could be a lot more productive.

It's true Rice has seen on average fewer touches this year (20.8), when that number has usually been 23 or more in past seasons. The bigger, more lingering issue, however, has been Cameron shying away from consistently letting Flacco loose to take better advantage of a strong arm, play-action and talented receivers to get the ball downfield.

Caldwell, after helping Peyton Manning as a Colts coach, has had a good influence on Flacco in their first season together. Caldwell's first order of business as the Ravens' new offensive coordinator is a tall one—getting Flacco and his teammates to put up more points than Manning's red-hot Broncos in Sunday's critical home game with Denver.